Never mind the Crazy Frog, T-Pain is the new reigning "King of Ringtones."

Over the last two years, the dreadlocked R&B and rap star has sold over seven million ringtones, nearly five times as many as sales of his previous two albums, combined. In 2005, the Tallahassee, Florida native released Rapper Ternt Sanga, a collection of club anthems about clubbin', including the unforgettable hit single I'm N Luv (With A Stripper). (The ringtone for that perfectly timely ode to forbidden love was purchased four million times in five months, making it Sony BMG's fastest-selling to date.)

His follow-up, Epiphany, proved this 22-year-old producer-performer is, like Nate Dogg or Michael Jackson, the rare artist capable of churning out one earworm after another: Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin') ft. Yung Joc and Bartender ft. Akon. Not only does Teddy Pain know how to write them, he also knows how to pick them. His collaborations with the cream of the crop read like a list of this year's top 10 – because, in large part, they are: Good Life by Kanye West, I'm a Flirt (Remix) by R. Kelly, Shawty by Plies, Cyclone by Baby Bash, I'm So Hood by DJ Khaled and Kiss Kiss by Chris Brown.

The happily married father of two – his children are named Lyriq and Muzyq – is enjoying his best year ever, having become as ubiquitous as The Neptunes were a few years back or Rodgers and Hammerstein, in their own day. Discovered by fellow R&B star Akon, T-Pain is now the head of Nappy Boy Entertainment – a label devoted exclusively to digital releases – e.g., ringtones. If you're awaiting his next release, keep your phone off "vibrate."

LaLa and video director Shaolin discuss their next move.

Pop singer LaLa is straight up 'hood. The leggy 26-year-old could become the West Coast's answer to Jenny from the Block on the strength of her breakthrough single Homegurlz, a remember-where-you-from ballad.

LaLa reps Van Nuys, California, where she is also known as Casey Romero aka "Sad Girl". Discovered on MySpace by local radio veteran Julio G, the Mexican-American is earning a following in the Chicano rap scene. Songs like "Sprung On a Thug," featuring chipmunk vocal samples over a Motown-influenced beat, and "Drop It," a club track that generously borrows from Debbie Deb's When I Hear Music cover all the bases, from Chicano oldies to Nuyorican freestyle.

The eldest of five sisters, Lala is putting the finishing touches on her debut album, Love and Respect, and hopes to capitalize on the buzz that "Homegurlz" has generated: "[I]t's like finally people are startin' to feel and relate to what Latinos got to say."

see: myspace.com/lalasadgirl

Washington D.C. singer-songwriter J. Holiday says he wants to bring the blues back to R&B. The 23-year-old's self-described "street soul" is a throwback to the days of Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding, when storytelling was as essential as an infectious groove.

A preacher's son, J. Holiday (real name: Nahum Grymes) decided on a singing career after wowing classmates during a high school talent show. After graduation, the lanky vegetarian moved to Atlanta as a member of R&B outfit 295. Once the group disbanded, Holiday remained in the ATL, going solo and releasing his first single in 2006, the flirtatious slow jam Be With Me. A year later, the soft-spoken father of one released his debut album, Back of My Lac', featuring the seductive lullaby Bed – an instant smash that topped Billboard's R&B chart for nearly a month.

J. Holiday is finishing up his breakthrough year touring with heavyweights R. Kelly, Ne-Yo and Keyshia Cole. The avid roller skater recently released his third single, Suffocate, and it's clear the silky-voiced Holiday is in no hurry to release an up tempo club banger. He describes the ready-for-the-bedroom track as something "fellas can ride to," and "ladies can listen to while they are taking a bath."

Self-described "hip pop" artist Jeannie Ortega is not afraid to talk about her faith. The green-eyed 21-year-old blogs about Jesus and sports three crosses on her album cover. She's just confident like that. When fending off players, she spits out "you think this was gonna be ... easy?"

Jeannette Ortega was born in Bushwick, Brooklyn and began performing as one half of kid group Sugar & Spice (she was Spice) while she was in kindergarten. After graduating from the Brooklyn High School of the Arts in 2004, Ortega released "Got What It Takes" on the Love Don't Cost a Thing soundtrack. She then signed to Hollywood Records with whom she released her 2006 debut No Place Like Brooklyn. It's as eclectic as most contemporary pop. The upbeat party-starter "It's R Time" features N.O.R.E., Gem Star and Big Mato on a traditional reggaetón track while the Kelly Clarkson-influenced "So Done" is gentle pop-rock. The standout Crowded is a club-ready R&B jam featuring underground rap sensation Papoose, an earworm melodic hook and lyrics that revisit the eternal conflict of the cheating boyfriend.

This summer, Ortega toured nationally with Rihanna before joining Frankie J, Luis Fonsi, Nina Sky and Orishas on the Lo McXimo de la Música concert series. She's currently working on her second album. A preview of one her new songs, “Over Your Head,” co-written with Def Jam's Chrisette Michelle, finds Ortega confidently proclaiming "Yes, I'm worth a million bucks and I don't give a f**k."

see: myspace.com/jeannieortega

(image via chrisbrownworld.com)

Listening to Chris Brown talk about b-ball, girls and his hometown, the up-and-coming R&B star is like any other 18-year-old. But watch him sing and dance and it's clear why Time magazine has already likened him to Michael Jackson.

Brown, a native of smalltown Tappahannock, Virginia, took up singing shortly before high school. A few years later, the lanky teen – a point guard on the Essex County High School basketball team – was in talks with Def Jam Records. At only 15, Brown signed with another label, Jive Records, home of Justin Timberlake and Usher, among others. His debut single, Run It!, a "crunk & b" track featuring Juelz Santana, became a runaway smash. The fresh-faced double threat followed with two more hits, the puppy love anthem Yo (Excuse Me Miss) and another club single Gimme That, helping his self-titled debut go double platinum.

A charismatic, approachable celebrity, Brown has also ventured into acting, with appearances on shows like "The O.C.," "One on One," and the movie Stomp The Yard. He's also one of the faces of Rocawear's I Will Not Lose campaign, along with Ciara, Rich Boy and Three 6 Mafia.

This year, the Grammy-nominated Brown will release his sophomore album, Exclusive. An apparent good guy who is unlikely to finish last, Brown's most recent singles, Wall to Wall and Kiss Kiss, have already attracted a combined seven million plus views on YouTube. Of course the girls love him.